Scientists find hidden immune cells that fight deadly lung cancer
Researchers at WEHI discovered specific immune cells that detect and destroy aggressive small cell lung cancer tumors.
The study published in Cancer Cell shows patients with more of these cells survived significantly longer than others. This finding highlights a previously unknown defense mechanism against this notoriously difficult disease.
Scientists created miniature tumors using patient samples to test how these specialized immune cells attack cancer. The results proved that gamma delta T cells can identify and eliminate tumors that hide from standard defenses.
Tests with existing medications showed that drugs can strengthen the ability of these cells to kill cancer effectively. Combining tarlatamab and zoledronate substantially increased the immune response in laboratory experiments involving human tissue.
The team plans to work with the Doherty Institute to translate these findings into new immunotherapy drugs for patients. This collaboration aims to create personalized treatments for cancers that often escape conventional immune detection methods.
“Strikingly, patients whose tumors contained more of these specialized immune cells often had better treatment outcomes.”